Dave Miller's 2025 Bible Reading Challenge

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Matthew 21:28-22:14, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jesus returns to his parable-telling ways. Today's versions are not nearly as mysterious as some of the previous ones. Matthew records three parables in our reading today, each one designed to insult the Pharisees and religious leaders who were following him and trying to trap him. Jesus didn't back down, didn't try to curry favor. He trained his verbal guns at them with full force, and they understood exactly what he was saying. Mark and Luke rep...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 12:20-50, Matthew 21:18-27, Mark 11:20-33, Luke 20:1-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The passage in John is first here because it is a continuation of a previous reading in John. Jesus is preparing for the end. John 12:23 is rife with irony. "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." Think of what was about to happen to him. Arrest. Trial. Beating. Mocking. A crown of thorns. Carrying his cross. Nails in his hands and feet. Agony. And he called this being "glorified." Only Jesus would say that because he r...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-19, Luke 19:28-48, John 12:1-19 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The beginning of the end - that is what the Triumphal Entry is. Jesus came over the Mt of Olives and down into the city with the crowds cheering. It was a great way to start a week that would turn ugly quickly - a fulfillment of prophecy and a portent of a future return when Jesus will be accepted by all as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Daily Devotional:   For Heaven's Applause Jesus rode into Jerusalem with crowds cheerin...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 18:35-19:27   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's readings take place in Jericho, on the west side of the Jordan, at the north end of the Dead Sea. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem, determined to give himself for the sins of the world, and so he walked in the Jordan River valley, the easiest way to walk. In Jericho, Jesus healed a man born blind (a story we read yesterday in other gospel accounts) and the story of Zaccheus, the repentant tax collector. He also, while in Jericho, told the parable of the nobleman who...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Matthew 20:1-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-34  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's readings mark a clear turning point in Jesus' ministry. The hints have been leading up to this point, but now all doubt is gone. After a parable about rewards for serving God and his kingdom, Jesus predicts his death a third time, with a firm prediction that they are headed to Jerusalem. The Galilean portion of the ministry is over, and the march to Jerusalem is beginning. The story of the request of James and John (evidently pushed by...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Matthew 19:1-30, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 18:15-30 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     While there are readings in Matthew, Mark, and Luke today, they repeat the same stories (mostly). First, Jesus goes over the issue of divorce, with slight variations in each Gospel in some of the small details, primarily over whether there is an exception on the grounds of adultery. Matthew, the most extensive telling of the story, includes it but Mark does not. The second story, which appears in all three Gospels, is the blessing of the children. Th...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 17:11-18:14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The die has been cast, and now Jesus is beginning to prepare his disciples for the future. After the healing of the lepers, Jesus begins to teach both about the fact that he was going to leave them and about his second coming, broaching a new topic. The end is drawing near, and the focus of Jesus' ministry is changing. Jesus shares two parables in chapter 18 about prayer and key qualities in successful, acceptable prayer. Daily Devotional:   Prayer-ables In Luke 18:1-14, J...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 11 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The story we read today shows a sharp turning point for Jesus. The tension building with the Pharisees became a plot, a plan for open war when he brought Lazarus out of the grave. Jesus did two things that day - he revealed who he was and who they were not. In verses 25-26, he gave another of his great "I Am" statements, which comforts all who grieve the loss of a loved one in Christ. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and ever...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 16:1-17:10 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's passage begins with a series of parables and teachings about money, one of which is among the hardest to interpret of Jesus' parables. The story of the shrewd manager, who seems to be praised for cheating his master's customers, is an enigma. Fortunately, in verse 9, Jesus gives us a hint about the parable's point. He praised the shrewdness of the dishonest man and then warns his followers to use earthly wealth shrewdly, to gain heavenly reward. That is followed by two t...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 15 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The interpretation of parables can be so confusing, especially when we try to allegorize them. Was the prodigal son a saved man who backslid, and then returned? Or was he saved when he returned to the Father in repentance? And who is the older brother - the already saved in the church? That is not how parables are meant to be read. First of all, they are about life in the kingdom of God and are seldom about salvation issues. When you read about the prodigal son, don't try to figure out...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There he goes again! Jesus begins Luke 14 with a miracle. Nothing strange about that, of course, but he also begins it with a miracle that happens on the Sabbath. That is not unusual either. Seems like just about every miracle he ever did took place on the Sabbath, infuriating the petty religiosity of the Pharisees and their buddies. He followed that with two parables, one about a wedding feast and the other about a banquet, both intended to skewer the religionists again. They thought t...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 10 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     If the life of Jesus were a movie (and, of course, it has been many times), John 10 would play with ominous and foreboding music behind it. Yes, the chapter begins with what seems like a beautiful teaching about Jesus being the good shepherd for the sheep, a thought we will explore in the devotional, but there is much more working there. Jesus is describing himself as the Good Shepherd, but it is not in a vacuum. He is contrasting himself with the thieves and robbers who come to "steal ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 9 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     What a contrast is seen in today's story, an escalation of the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, a man who had been born blind and had never seen a thing his entire life. The Pharisees did not rejoice at the goodness of God or the mercy shown to this man. In fact, they abused him and treated him shabbily. No, they were angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath, breaking their rules. They were more concerned with their human rules and their power ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 13 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The themes do not change much as Jesus continues his ministry. It's about drawing the lines (the narrow door) and confronting the Pharisees over their pettiness and failure to grasp the truth of God, the nature of the kingdom of God, and the ongoing miraculous work of Jesus.  Daily Devotional:  The Narrow Door I am not exactly a small guy - whether you measure me side to side or head to toe. I've had the privilege of exploring some ruins in places like Israel, as well as some ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Luke 11:37-12:59 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading in Luke 12 sees a continuance of many of the key themes in the later ministry of Jesus Christ, leading up to the days before he entered Jerusalem to die. All of chapter 11-12 either fits with the Sermon on the Mount or with the teachings of Jesus later in Matthew 23. He warns his disciples about the Pharisees and tells them not to fear the coming persecution. His teachings in John 14-16 will take these themes and expand on them greatly, but he is beginning to pr...